Team Herald
PANJIM: After making his intentions clear of taking forward his father’s legacy, former deputy chief minister Francis D’Souza’s son Joshua announced on Thursday that he has sought the Bharatiya Janata Party ticket to fight the Mapusa by-polls.
However, speaking to the media, Joshua said he has met BJP leaders for the ticket. “Yes, I want to contest on a BJP ticket and I approached the BJP leaders yesterday (Wednesday). My father was a sitting MLA in Mapusa and the workers have met me and asked me to take his legacy forward,” Joshua said.
He said many leaders have offered him support, but since his father was a loyal BJP soldier he would want to carry that legacy forward.
“This is my father’s term and I do not want to disappoint him. As of now it is just BJP on my mind even though others have approached me. I don’t want to think about them and I am sure the BJP would not disappoint my late father,” he added.
The BJP top-brass is, however, still indecisive on the ticket to Joshua. “If Joshua wants to contest let him work for the party first,” party president Vinay Tendulkar had said a few days earlier.
On February 14, D’Souza who was the Mapusa MLA, lost the battle with cancer. The very next day, Goa Forward Party president Vijai Sardesai had said that he was willing to support Joshua to take his father’s legacy forward. The statement had raised eyebrows as many felt Joshua could contest on Goa Forward ticket.
